Alright. The semester is almost over, and like a fool I've procrastinated writing my research term paper until... now. What the heck can I research that I can write a quick paper about?

Well, duh. Anime. I decided that if I write a paper about anime, then I can rewatch Fullmetal Alchemist and call that research. Sweet.

Unfortunately, my brilliant topic had to be narrowed down to anime fan culture in North America. This means that I need to conduct actual research.

Can you all answer these questions for me?

a) Identify whether you're male or female

b) Explain (briefly) why you like anime and manga

c) If you're a girl, explain why you (may or may not) like shounen series

d) If you're a guy, explain why you (may or may not) like shoujo series, if your masculinity isn't greviously offended by admitting it

This is an informal survey and will never see a printer's press-- my sole object in conducting this survey is to pass my writing class. As such, although I may quote your responses in order to make a point in my paper, it will be anonymous and uncredited and only one other person in the world will ever see it. Thank heavens I don't actually want to publish this, or my university would expel my little hiney for being so unacademic.

b) Anime, as opposed to American cartoons, seems to flow better. In short American Cartoons tend to have a different plotline every episode or even in the same episode. Anime's tend to have one major plot and move it over the entire series(Ed and Al search for a way to get their bodies back), or until said plot is finished in which it moves to a different plot or arc (DBZ, One Piece, other long anime series).\

As for Manga, I believe that in most cases manga tends to be more original than American comics. America seems to be stuck in a 'Superpowered do-gooder beats the bad guys' rut.

c) I don't know if you'd call it shounen but I tend to like the kind of series where you can predict and follow the growing romances. It makes the plotlines that more interesting.

As far as shounen goes, I not much of a fan of the main male characters (i.e. Ed, Inuyasha, Goku, Naruto, Yugi) and tend to look the rival/anti-hero type male character (Roy, Miroku, Vegeta, Kaiba) 'cause they don't always think the main character is right and seem to be better at quipping other characters (to the point of said characters getting humorously mad)

Don't know if it helps any (not to mention it's huge!) but here you go. Gook luck with your paper.